Communication system



COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 12, 1945. K. J. WAY

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented JunelZ; 1945 UNITED STATESl PATENTOFF'ICE" COMMUNICATION SYSTEM v Kenneth J. Way, Long Branch, N. J. Application January 14, 1943, serial No. 472,306

'isciaims; touwi)A (Granted under the act of March s, lass, las menace April so, 192s; 37o o. G. 757) The invention described herein may bemanniactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to a communication system and more particularly to a telephone ar'- more portable stations are arranged for intercommunication and have Va portable central Y* switching station. Y

In order to maintain such a system of intercommunication between stations,1 it is ordinarily necessary tov have a central switchboard by means of which connections can be made when it is required to bring any two, stations into'v communication. Such a switchboard usually comprises a unitary assemblageof switching and signaling elements and is transported'to its in.- tended site or carried until its use becomes necessary. Where such a switchboard is serving in the field, it might be conceivably damaged or destroyed by accident, by military action, or there may be failure in the functioning thereof for various reasons. It is obvious thatjthe intercommunications of lines depending upon such a switchboard would be interrupted should such failure occur. While the emergency-may be met by replacement of the damaged equipment, this solution is usually not feasible since such a field telephone arrangement should not be burdened by unessential quantities of apparatus. In view thereof it is not always possible to have avail` able a'replacement or substitute switchboard and the present invention provides Ameans whereby a simple emergency telephone system may be r set un for use when the'switchboard is no longer usable for the above, or any lother reasons- To further illustrate the problems -to which the present invention4 is directed, the conven l tional switchboard is designed to handlea prel- .determinc'd maximum amount of ztraflic. Should a special installation require less trafllc to be handled than the switchboard is designed 4for; l

and if, therefore, less number of linesis required, a specific switchboard nevertheless em'- bodies the vunused lines. In field situations 'requiring a minimum amount of apparatus, such'l a limitation is manifestly disadvantageous. The

ordinary switchboard might' be unduly Complex 50- and cumbersome for a particular occasion and would represent added and unnecessary weight.

The present invention, iSQtherefore, designed to provide means whereby a. central switching staboard.

therefore, that the 'switchboard has been sepy comprise the jacks.

l Since. one of the principal purposes for which vthe present invention is designed is to elimi- Vnate cumbersome equipment, the subject invention proposes a virtual switchboard which does rangement designed for field use where three or not take any conventional form but which consists essentially of only the terminal ends of the i 'specic station line wires, which are -mutually arranged for intercommunication. Inasmuch as some form of terminal ends of the lines are necessary in any event, the-production of the switchboard entails merely the. direct interconnection of these terminal ends. The invention contemplates. the use'of specially constructed terminal units, each of which may be likened to a. combined plug and jack portion of a switch- By analogy, it might be considered,

arated into distinct terminal units which form the terminal plugs of the lines and in addition The plugs and jacks of the respective lines are designed to mate in any combination and it is apparent,` therefore, that any number of these terminal units may be 'utilized to construct, on the moment, a switchboard `having only as many line accommodations as'are required for a particular occasion. A further ladvantage of such a system resides in the fact that before the central station is set up for operatiomeach user may carry his parfticular terminal unit so that no one person is burdened by a complex or cumbersome switchboard. y

A further feature of the instant invention is the'provision of a terminal'unit for each station which 4embodies signaling means to be used when astation wishes to contactk the centralv operator furthe usual reasons. It can be seen, therefore, A

'40. that theswitchboard analogy previously referred to isfurther vcarried out since the plurality of.

[terminal `unitsfutilized `will Supply thevirtual i -switchboardvwith alike number of signaling -'means, -a necessary feature-lacentral switching stations.V Specifically, the signaling means provided in the-instant inventioncomprises a visual indicator whichvs `housed within 'the terminal unit itsel f, .the preferred embodiment employing agas discharge tube such as a neon tube or r any type of incandescent 1lamp-which can serve a visualindicator,v In -view ofthe fact that. A the invention is directed to somewhat of a makeshift switchboard the elements of which are handled prion to their interconnection, and in tion may' be set up with a minimum of time-I view: of the proposed natureof itsuse, it is manifestthat a visual indicator auch as above described might be subjected to roughv handling Yand consequent injury thereto, wereit not disposed within and protected by the housing of 5 the terminal unit.

The invention further provides a signal in'- dicator in combination with a terminal unit, which is` visually accessible vfrom any angle. This is desirable in that the terminal units may, in the absence of supporting equipment, be haphazardly disposed and the` signal might, therefore, be obscured from the eye ofthe central operator. In view, thereof, the terminaliof the instant invention is such as to diffuse the illujiination of the signal indicator over its surfac signal light which is visible from any angle..

Speccally, transparent plastic material of the' type hereinafter mentioned,have unusually excellent properties of light diiusion, and the terminal unit, which may be fabricated thereof, will render the signal visible irrespective of the `position whichjthe terminal unit assumes in relation to the operatorl The invention is preferably used in combination with a plurality of telephone lines each of which is provided with a portable magneto telephone unlt well known in the art. Each station will be equipped with one of these telephone units which comprises a telephone handset as well as means to transmit or to. receive, and a hand generator for signaling purposes. The conductors of each station will be terminated at the central switching station by means of such a terminal unit as will be hereinafter described with particularity.

The invention, both as to its organization, systive stations. i*

Figure is a schematicv view illustrating the communication system of the instant invention.

1 The terminal unit 9 comprises the case or housing I0 which is of electrically insulating material and preferably light diiusible. Pursuant thereto, it may be formed of transparent material such as ordinary glass or of a plastic material such as Amphenol, Lucite, or similar plastics. Disposed within the housing I0 is the terminal element l I comprising an integral plug and jack combination. The terminal element I I may be formed of a'hollow, cylindrical, externally threaded rod I2,

I2, which end serves as the jack portion I4 of so as to present a relatively large'area of' 1 'n an'd at rright angles thereto, abore n which traverses the terminal unit. Said bores I 5 and I1 cooperate to form a chamber I8 which communicates with each of said bores. A threaded bolt I9, having a knurled head, is received in the internally, threaded bore I5. 'I'he line conductor terminal end is introduced into the chamber I 3 through the bore` I1 and the threaded bolt I9 serves to clamp, and thereby effect electrical contact between, said terminal end and the corresponding terminal element II Boss I5 is reduced to form a dome-shaped por,-

vtion having a centrally disposed cavity formed therein which serves to electrically connect a plug l2| to the rod I2. Plug 2I is illustrated as being ofthe so-called banana type wherein a central of a resilient metal.

pin 22 is encompassed by a split outer covering 23 The outer covering 23 has its closed end 24 outwardly disposed in relation to the housing I0, while the splitting thereof forms spring fingers. The free ends of the spring fingers are retained together with pin 22 in the cavity formed in the dome-shaped portion 20 of boss I5.

The Walls of said cavity may be spun over to effect such retention. The plug is designed to be received 1n a Jack such as jack I4 above described, the inner wall of the jack compressing the plug against the action of the spring fingers. The tersfo having an end nut I3 applied thereto. .The end.y 05.

nut I3 surrounds the outer end of thefhollow rod the terminal element. The nut'I3 may have its I therewith and oppositely disposed on the rod I2 in relation to said end nut I3. The boss I5 is formedwith an internally threaded partial bore vpreciable shunting action minal element 25 duplicates the aforesaid parts of the terminal element II for the purpose of reeiving the other conductor of a particular staion.

Means are provided for signaling the central operator when communication with another station is desired. The signaling means comprises a visual indicator which may be in the form of a neon bulb 26 effectively shunted across the station line conductors by being connected to the termin als elements I I and 25, which are electrically connected to the said conductors. A chamber 21, formed in the housing I Il, serves to receive said neon bulb. In series with the neon bulb across the conductors, is a current limiting resistor 28 which serves to prevent the excessive flow of current through the neon bulb. A chamber 29, formed in the housing, receives said resistor 28. A neon bulb that was found suitable for the purpose was ofthe very small type, about 1 inch long, 1A, inch in diameter, and rated at about 116 of a Watt. The value of series resistor 28 was such as to limit` the current to about one milliampere.

-' lWhere 110 volts is supplied, the recommended bulb such as above described is employed. Any other bulb of small dimensions having in combination therewith a suitable current limiting resister may be utilized. In addition, any signal responding to telephone ringing voltage, either visually or audibly or both, may be used if sutilcient impedance is provided to prevent'any apon the telephone line. Suitable leads 30 and 3|, disposed in conduits formed in the housing Il, respectively effect the necessary electrical contact between terminal element II and neon bulb 25, and between resistor 28 and terminal element 25.

vThe disposition of the neon bulb 25 within the housing I0 not only serves to protect it against injury but a more important result is achieved when the housing is of a transparent plastic or diffusive material. In such embodiments, lthe housingy I0 diffuses the lightover its 'area,.there'- by providing a large surface area ofsignallight which is visible without regard to the position o1' the terminal unit in respect to the central'operator, or without regard to the position ofthe neon and field station D is eil'ected and the operator is.

then free to handle other calls. When the conver- 'sation between station -A "and station D1 iscompleted, they will restore their hand sets and either bulb-in; respect to the" central operator. A'4 further advantage is the fact that the diffused light,

while conveniently visible tothe-operator, is not visible foras greatdistance aswould be the bulb. vitselrwere its light not diffused in the housing l0 I so that secrecyv of the proceedings, if necessary, is

accomplished. Beneficial'V results arealso obtain; able-with housings of colored plastics or even glass materials. Suitable ,plastic materials include the urea formaldehydelv group, the acrylate plastics such as L cite, `above-mentioned, -or other wellone -or `both will operate the hand generator.

' which, upon lighting 'the respective neon bulb,

will inform theoperatr that either the conversation isA ended or the .ileld station desires another connection. The central operator may then plug in and ask whether another number is desired. It no answer is received, he can break the connection.

" If va'conlere'rice connection is desired wherein `one' ili'ldstation wishes to be connected to more than one other station so that a plurality of eld stations may engage in a conference call, the

operator, when receiving such a request from one lmown'equivalents.`l .It is apparent, however, that glass ,or any' other light diffusible'material may be ladvantageously used with4 comparable results.`

A terminal unit ofV the type hereinabove de. 'a

scribed Vserves `totern'unateeach pair of conj ductors extending from the ileld station to its terminal at the central switching.station.v Thesystem of intercommunication is illustrated in Figure 5 hereof wherein 5 field stations anda `of the field stations, will call every other field station separately and advise them of this intention. Thereupon each of the desired eld station ter- .minalunlts may be plugged in to each other as partly illustrated in Figure 4 and the connected A iield stations will be in mutual communication.

The apparatus above described eliminates the necessity of a conventional switchboard with its attendant disadvantages for particular occasions central switch station Q are accommodated, al-

though,vof course, more or less than this number may be employed. Eachfield station is equipped with a portable telephone unit having a telephone handset, means to vtransmit and receive. a handoperated magneto 'for signaling purposes, batteries for supplying power to .the unit and a bell serving as a signal fromfthe central operator to each field station. Eachfleld station A. B,'C, D,

and E is provided `with a terminal unit 9A, 9B, 9C,

as hereinabove described, while securing the functional results provided by such a switchboard. While a simple rack might be provided for hanging the terminal-units in some order, such an expedient has been dispensed with in `order to reduce to a minimum the apparatus required for eiilclent operation.

'I 'he advantages of the present system are-numerous as above described. To further illustrate the utility of the invention, the above-mentioned 9D and 9Ey at'the central end of its line Vconductors. The operation of `the system `'is as follows:

, Assumlng'that field station A wishes to establishes communication with eld station D. he opcrates the hand'generator on his eld telephone unit and the neon bulb in the terminal unitl 9A" corresponding to'eld station A flashes. Any suitable means enabling vthe `central `operator to identify the terminal units with respect to their iield stations may be'em'ployed. For example,in Fig. 1 i

is 4shown a'white opaque` plate 32 secured,as by adhesive, to the vhousing IU.- indicia may be inscribed on the plateI 32 to identify each terminal example of a particular intercommunicaton system utilizing a conventional switchboard is again referred to;A Should the aforesaid disruption or destruction of the switchboard as by accident or by military action occur; the central operator, if he is equippedwith a few of these terminal units `9, can with dispatch secure these tothe conductors of the eld stationshe is serving. In this way, by having merely a handful of these devices. he caninstall the system of the `present invention and thereby provide for such a serious emergency as might'arlse through the interruption of comunit with "ts eld stat-ion or, alternatively differently colored transparent plastic may. be employed for the housings Ill, each. color, serving tc identify 'Y a particular field station. By

using differently colored plastic, the identification of each terminal unit is made possible evenduring the night when the indicia maynot be distinguishable. When the light appears on terminal vunit 9A, the central operator directly inserts the plugs of his terminal unit into the so as to be within the reach of the central opjacks i4 ofv terminalv unit 9A thereby closing the circuit by establishing a connection, or alternatively, he may prefer to insert the plugs of terminal unit 9A into the jacks of Ahis own terminal unit. Upon establishing communication-arid being apprised by field station A of the field station Y to which the call is to be connected, heremoves his plugs from terminal vunit 9A and inserts it in terminal unit 9D. He then operates his hand generator, ringing thereby the bell on the eld station D telephone unit. When Afield station D answers, the operator then establishe'esV connection between terminal units 9A and 9D.`by inserting either pair of plugs into the other'pair of jacks;

Thus intercommunication between field station A munication through the destruction of the switchboard. The term central switching station when used in the claims is not intended to refer only to the operators switchboard but to the site,

vincluding the immediate surroundings of the switchboard. It is apparent that the terminal units aredsposed at the central switching station erator.

While certain preferred embodiments of theinvention have been illustrated and described herein.: it is understood that the invention is not limvited thereby, but is susceptible of changes in form 'and detail within the scope of the appended 1. A telephone communication system comprismay be interconnected to bringthcir eld telephone stations into mutual communication. 2. A telephone communication system comprising a plurality of neld telephone stations having line conductors, a terminal unit terminating the line conductors oi.' each said field telephone station, a central switching station, each of said terminal units being disposed at said central switching station, two connectorl elements on each of said terminal units, each line conductorof a. eld

formed on each of. said terminal units whereby selected terminal units may beconnected to bring telephone station being connected to oneof said connector elements, and plug and jack means on each ofl said connector elements, said plug and jack means being electrically connected 'together whereby the plugs of one terminal unit may be inserted into the jacks of any other terminal unit to bring their respective field telephone stations into mutual communication.

3. 'A telephone communication system comprising a plurality of fleldtelephone stations havingv line conductors, a terminal unit terminating'the conductors of each field station telephone station-,l

a central switching station, each of said terminal units being disposed at said. central switching station, plug and jack elements on eachof said terminal units whereby selected terminal units their respective iield stations into communication and signaling means eilectlvely shunted across said -line conductors of said field stations 'at said terminal units, said signaling means norconnecting means in said terminal units for ,eiecting connections between the respective iield stationsfof said terminal units, a light diflusible may be directly interconnected to bring their respective field stations into mutual communica'- tion, and signaling means whereby each said iield telephone station may signal said central switching station when a connection is desired.

4. A telephone communication system comprising a plurality of iield telephone stations having line conductors, a terminal unit terminating the conductors of each said field telephone station, a central switching station, each of said terminal units disposed at said central switching station, each of said terminal units comprising a. light diifusible housing, and visually accessible signaling means disposed within said housing whereby each said iield telephone station may signal said central switching station when a connection is desired. l

5. A telephone communication system com-` prising a plurality of iield telephone stations having line conductors, a terminalunit terminating the'conductors of each said eld telephone station, a central switching station, each of said terminal units disposed at vsaid switching station; said terminal units comprising means for effecting telephone connections between selected iield telephone stations, a transparent housingl for each of said terminal units, and signaling means disposed within said transparent housing.'

phone stations, a central switching station, each of said terminal units heilig disposed at Vsaid central switching station, connector elements formed on each of said terminal units whereby selected terminal units may be connected to bring their respective iield stations into communication and signaling means eiectively shunted across said line conductors of said field stations at said terminal said signaling means normally being substantially non-responsive to audio voltages in said line conductors.

7. In a telephone communication systemcomprising a plurality of iield telephone stations having line conductors and means to produce both audio and signaling voltages, a terminal vunit terminating the conductors of each said eldtelephone stations, a central switching station, each of said terminal units being disposed at said central switching station, plug and jack elements minating the conductors of each said eld telehousing for each said terminal unit,'and illu- 'minable signal means disposed within said housing and visually accessible therethrough.

10. A telephone'terminal vunit for terminating a pair of conductors in a communication system,

said terminal unit comprising a housing, electrically connected plug and 'jack elements in said housing, and signaling means in said housing substantially non-responsive to audio voltages in said system.

11. A terminal unit for terminating a pair of conductors in a communicationsystem, said terminal comprising a' housing, plug and jack elements supported Vby said housing, and signaling means in' said housing eifectively disposed across said conductors and substantially non-responsive to any audio voltages in said system.

12. A terminal unit for terminating a pair of conductors in a communication system, said terminal comprising a housing, plug and jack elements supported by said housing and signaling means effectively shunted across said conductors,

said signaling means comprising a visual indicator l line conductors in a communication system having a plurality of lines, said terminal unit com- "prising a light diffusible housing, connector elements supported by said housing for electrically connecting said pair of conductors to a load and illuminable signal means disposed within said light permeable housing and visually accessible therethrough.

f l 14. A terminal unit for terminating a pair of lineconductors in a communication system, said terminal unit comprising a light diffusible housing, electrically connected plug and jack ele- A,ments disposed within said housing for connectingsaidpair of conductors to a load, and signaling means effectively shunted across saidconductors, said signaling means comprising a visual and diffusive material, connector elements supported by said housing vfor electrically connecting said pair of conductors to a load and illuminable signal means disposed within said housing, whereby the light thereof is diffused over the area of said housing when said signal means is illuminated.-

16. A terminal unit for terminating a pair of line conductors in a communication system, said terminal unit comprising a housing of translucent and diffusive material, a pair of connectorlements disposed within said housing, plug and 'j ack means on each of said connector elements, the respective plug and jack means being electrically connected together, and illuminable signal means disposed within said housing whereby the light thereof is diffused over the area of said housing when said signal means is illuminate.

17. A terminal unit according to claim 16 wherein said signal means comprises an ionizable gas lled glow lamp and a'current limiting rep sistor in series therewitht 18. A terminal unit for terminating a pair of line conductors in a communication system, said terminal unit comprising alight permeable housing, a pair of electrically connected plug and jack elements disposed within said housing for connecting said pair of conductors to a load, signaling means disposed within said housing, said signaling means comprising a neon lamp and a. current limiting resistor, said neon lamp and resistor being connected in series across said pair of plug and jack elements.

t KENNETH J. WAY. 

